Wiggins banks in buzzer-beater, Wolves stun Thunder

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins, center, is mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game winning shot at the buzzer in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. Minnesota won 115-113. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

OKLAHOMA CITY — Andrew Wiggins’ 3-pointer from a few steps inside halfcourt banked in as time expired to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 115-113 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.

Oklahoma City’s Carmelo Anthony had hit a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left to give the Thunder the lead before the Timberwolves inbounded to Wiggins, who rushed up the court and got free with help from a crushing pick by Karl-Anthony Towns before pulling up for the winner.

Wiggins scored 27 points and Towns had 27 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota (2-1).

Russell Westbrook scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder, who were coming off a loss at Utah on Saturday night. Anthony scored 23 points and Paul George scored 14 points on 6-for-20 shooting. Steven Adams had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder.

Minnesota led 61-54 at halftime behind 13 points from Towns and 10 from Wiggins.

Adams scored 14 points before the break.

The Timberwolves fought off several bursts by the Thunder and led 88-75 at the end of the third quarter.

The Thunder opened the fourth quarter with a five-point run that led to a Minnesota timeout. Oklahoma City continued the surge and got the crowd back into the game. A three-point play by Anthony cut Minnesota’s lead to 90-87 as Westbrook returned to the game from a rest.

Adams converted a three-point play to cut Minnesota’s lead to 106-105 with 1:50 to go, and a 3-pointer by Westbrook tied the game at 110.

TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Taj Gibson, who started for the Thunder at the end of last season, had 11 points and 10 rebounds. He barely got the ball inbounds on the final play. … Shot 57 percent in the first quarter to lead 28-23. … Minnesota beat Utah at home on Friday. … Jeff Teague scored 19 points and Jimmy Butler added 15.

Thunder: Adams had eight points on 4-for-5 shooting in the first quarter. … Six Thunder players scored in double figures. Raymond Felton and Jerami Grant each scored 12 points.

UP NEXT:
Timberwolves: Host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Thunder: Host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.